Marine Affairs Program

Faculty of Science

Incoming Cohort

       
       
    Kianna Bear-Hetherington is a proud Wolastoqey woman from Sitansisk (St. Mary's First Nation) in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and a Water Protector for the Wolastoqey Nation. She holds a BSc in Environmental and Natural Resources from the University of New Brunswick and is pursuing a Master of Marine Management at Dalhousie University, focusing on Indigenous-led conservation initiatives. Kianna hopes to bring Wolastoqey perspectives to conservation locally and globally, developing programs that reconnect communities with water and protect their ancestral homelands for future generations.
    Raphaëlle Boivin is from Québec, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Geography as well as a certificate in Sustainable Development at Laval University. Raphaelle loves being outdoors, but she is also an avid knitter and enjoysing! Raphaelle is particularily interested in fisheries management and food security for coastal communities, and she hopes to explore professional opportunities in those directions. 
      Levi Denny is Mi’kmaw from Eskasoni First Nation in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Levi has a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Cape Breton University, and is the Indigenous Partnership and Project Coordinator at the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources in the Aquatic Stewardship Department. Levi's masters project focuses on fine-scale gaspereau movements within the Bras d’Or Lake that will inform fisheries and IPCA management.
          Flavie Dubé holds a Bachelor's degree in Forest Engineering from Laval University. Her experiences in reforestation and coastal restoration projects abroad sparked her passion for marine conservation. Now pursuing a Master’s in Marine Management at Dalhousie University, she hopes to connect her background in forestry with her growing passion for the ocean. Flavie is driven by a desire to reduce plastic waste in the ocean and help coastal communities build a more sustainable future.
          Lauren Farley grew up in New Brunswick which helped develop her love for the ocean and natural world, and led her to complete a BSc majoring in Marine Biology and Environment, Sustainability & Society at Dalhousie University. She is excited to diversify her skill set with the MMM program and study topics like marine biodiversity, sustainability, and conservation through a holistic lens. Her future goals involve working with marine non-profit organizations and elasmobranch conservation in Atlantic Canada. 
          Emmey Greenham completed her bachelor's degree in marine biology and ocean sciences at Dalhousie University and holds a certificate in animal behaviour. Her current interests include collaborative approaches to management and conservation, eco-tourism management, and species-specific management. Post-MMM, she hopes to have a role in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans working on marine policy. Whether that be in her hometown of Ottawa, or on any of Canada’s coasts, she is looking forward to the opportunities the MMM will provide.
          Claire Hamer has a background in natural science, having completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Marine Biology. She is currently interested in learning more about fisheries management and how marine protected areas can be implemented effectively. In the future, she hopes to work in the conservation field, aiding efforts to conserve at-risk marine species.
          Rachel Han is a Chinese student who holds a BA Honours in Marine Biology from Dal. She enjoys swimming and writing fan fiction, in addition to marine management. She hopes to establish good connections throughout the completion of her MMM degree.
          Alex Hancock has a BSc in Marine Biology from Dalhousie. Her interests include (academically) deep-sea coral ecosystems in the Maritimes, and (non-academically) camping and tidepooling. Marine Management is excites Alex because it intersects natural science and sociological issues. She looks forward to exploring this further in the future! 
          Ella Headrick completed their undergrad in marine biology at Dalhousie, while studying sustainability and completing a certificate in aquaculture & the environment. Their interests lie in conservation, coastal management solutions, marine pelagic, benthic and coastal security, sustainable energy, food security and governance within the marine & coastal space
          Will Herrington is from Port Perry Ontario and graduated from Dalhousie University in spring of 2024 with his BSc in Marine Biology and Certificate in Aquaculture and the Environment. Will has a passion for sustainable land-based aquaculture as well as coral reef protection and restoration within remote fishing communities. In his free time he enjoys exercising, fishing, and hanging out with friends.
          After graduating from Acadia University in 2023 with an undergraduate degree in Biology, Emma Hughes later completed a Graduate Certificate in Oceans Technology at NSCC in 2024. She looks forward to expanding herknowledge in social sciences and engaging in research throughout her graduate project. This program gives Emma the chance to build on her background in both natural science and technology, while continuing to grow her expertise. Emma's area of interest include Marine protected areas (MPAs), aquaculture, and the impacts of climate change on our oceans.
          Madison MacDonald graduated from Cape Breton University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Environment (Honours). She has a strong interest in marine protected areas, particularly the ecological science behind them and the social processes involved in their designation and management. Madison is excited to explore new ideas throughout the program and hopes to work with DFO or discover other opportunities in marine conservation and policy.
  [No photo]         Amelia Pattui holds a Baccalaureate from the University of Guelph with a major in Environmental Governance and a minor in Ecology, where class discussions drove her interest in marine management. She is passionate about marine mammal conservation, Indigenous community co-management, marine protected areas, and Indigenous Protected Conservation Areas (IPCAs). Amelia aspires to a future career as a versatile marine manager, grounded in both social and physical sciences to address complex marine socio-ecological challenges. 
          Eliza Preston holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Dalhousie University, where she conducted an independent research project on Nova Scotia’s Great White Shark population and their interactions with divers and surfers. As a member of the Youth Congress at IMPAC5, Eliza had the opportunity to engage with leading scientists on marine protected areas (MPAs) and contribute to discussions on ocean conservation. This experience deepened her passion for MPAs and strengthened her commitment to advancing the global goal of protecting 30% of our oceans by 2030. I look forward to all of the knowledge I will gain through my Master's experience!
          Jade Robinson, from Sipeknekatik First Nation, has always had a deep passion for all things related to water. From childhood adventures swimming and exploring streams, lakes, and beaches, to studying the vast ocean and marine life in school, her connection to water has been lifelong. She holds a background in Biology and Sustainability and has professional experience in Indigenous commercial fisheries policy. Jade is enthusiastic about gaining as much knowledge as possible from this incredible program.
          Kyla Wilkinson graduated from Mount Allison University in May 2025 with a BA, majoring in Environmental Studies with honours, minors in Environmental Science and Geography, and a certificate in Visual Literacy and Culture. She is interested in art as a tool for environmental education, marine protected areas, community co-based management, and environmental law and policy. Within the marine management sector, Kyla hopes to work for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and explore any opportunities where her work could be taken internationally.